Etihad Airways has outlined bold ambitions for the near future, announcing plans to deliver high-speed 100 Mbps Wi-Fi across its entire fleet within two to three years, while posting a solid first-half 2025 profit of AED 1.1 billion ($306 million). The airline is simultaneously ramping up its fleet, workforce, and network to unprecedented levels, positioning itself as one of the fastest-growing global carriers, all amid steady speculation over a potential IPO.
Connectivity and tech investments
Etihad Airways Chief Executive Antonoaldo Neves, as reported by Khaleej Times, confirmed that the airline is working with multiple providers to roll out a new internet solution that will bring “best-in-class” connectivity across its aircraft.
“The connectivity that we're going to offer to our customers in the next two to three years is going to be best in class. With regard to speed, we're talking about getting to over 100 megabits per second, which is amazing,” Neves said. “There is no scenario that any airline in the world in three years will not have 100-plus megabits per second Wi-Fi in the aircraft. We got to give it to our customers because there is this saying that ‘Wi-Fi is life’ and people need it to feel connected and engaged.”
The carrier is not ruling out SpaceX’s Starlink satellite internet services, though Neves said other providers are also under consideration.
Industry analysis by Ookla shows that Hawaiian Airlines and Qatar Airways are currently the top performers for in-flight connectivity, using Starlink’s low-earth orbit satellite system. Spirit Airlines , Air Canada, Delta Airlines , Breeze Airways , American Airlines, and Aeromexico also rank high for quality connections, offering download speeds above the 10th percentile and better median speeds than rivals.
Alongside the Wi-Fi push, Etihad is preparing to accept cryptocurrency payments. “We are investing a lot in technology to close gaps in payment structures,” Neves said, stressing that the right infrastructure must first be in place in the markets it serves. The move would follow a broader regional trend after Emirates and Dubai Duty Free signed an agreement with Crypto.com in July to enable crypto transactions.
Financial gains and workforce growth
Etihad carried 10.2 million passengers in the first half of 2025, a 17 percent increase year-on-year, with a 14 percent rise in Available Seat Kilometres (ASK) and an improved passenger load factor of 87 percent, up two percentage points. The airline expects to reach 21.5 million passengers this year, and in early July surpassed 20 million passengers carried over the past 12 months, double the 10 million recorded in 2022.
Profitability also surged. Etihad posted AED1.1 billion ($306 million) profit for the first half, a 32 percent rise from the previous year. Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) rose nearly 25 percent to AED2.7 billion ($729 million).
Neves underlined both the financial and strategic progress. “As important as that, we keep growing. We keep bringing more tourists to Abu Dhabi. We’re very proud that Etihad is now bigger than ever before. About two years ago, I told some of you that we would get to that point in 2025, and we made it. We are growing at about 15–16 per cent year on year.”
The airline also crossed the milestone of more than 100 operating aircraft, boosted by new deliveries. In April, Etihad received its sixth Airbus A350, followed by the reintroduction of a seventh A380 in May. That same month, it confirmed an order for 28 wide-body aircraft with Boeing . In July, the airline achieved its highest-ever monthly intake with five new aircraft, including its first A321LR.
Workforce expansion has kept pace. In the first half of 2025, Etihad added over 1,700 new hires, including more than 100 pilots and 1,000 cabin crew, while promoting more than 1,100 staff internally.
“In all aspects, we are very happy. But in the end, the most important thing is our people,” Neves said. “We have hired more than 1,500 people, and we have promoted more than 1,000 people over the past half. And that’s really what an airline is, right? It’s a group of people that is working hard to deliver great customer service and grow in a financially viable way.”
Expansion and fleet strategy
Etihad’s network stood at 88 destinations as of June 2025, with 27 new routes launched or announced in the past year, including both year-round and seasonal services.
The introduction of the A321LR in April was a key milestone, bringing wide-body luxury to narrow-body operations for the first time in the region. The aircraft, which entered service in August with a debut flight to Phuket, features First Class suites and lie-flat Business seats on medium-haul routes.
Chairman His Excellency Mohamed Ali Al Shorafa said: “With 27 new destinations launched or announced this year alone, Etihad is proud to help position Abu Dhabi as one of the most accessible and connected cities in the world. This growth not only strengthens point-to-point and stopover opportunities but also enhances Abu Dhabi’s role as a gateway for millions of global travellers.”
Looking ahead, Etihad plans further fleet adjustments. Neves confirmed that Boeing’s 777X order will only arrive after 2030, intended to replace the airline’s Airbus A380s. He also indicated that Etihad is exploring deals in the secondary market, including leasing opportunities, to expand its fleet.
Market outlook and IPO readiness
Despite global economic uncertainties and geopolitical tensions, Etihad remains committed to its expansion strategy. Passenger traffic grew 17 percent year-on-year, with load factors improving to 88 percent from 86 percent a year earlier.
Bookings briefly slowed during the Israel-Iran conflict earlier this summer but had fully recovered by the end of July. Neves said the second half of 2025 “is going to be even stronger in terms of growth,” pointing to more aircraft deliveries and sustained demand.
On the prospect of going public, Neves said Etihad is fully prepared for an IPO but emphasized the decision rests with shareholders. “Etihad is ready to IPO at any time,” he said. “This is a shareholder decision.”
Rumors of a listing have circulated for years, but the latest statement marks the clearest sign that the airline is financially and operationally positioned for a public offering, should its owners move forward.
We’re thrilled to report our strongest-ever half-year performance, with a record half-year profit of AED 1.1 billion (U.S.$ 306 million). We carried 10.2 million passengers in H1 2025, a 17 per cent year-on-year increase, supported by an improved passenger load factor of 87 per… pic.twitter.com/cY9PxJg0kT
— Etihad Airways (@etihad) September 3, 2025
Connectivity and tech investments
Etihad Airways Chief Executive Antonoaldo Neves, as reported by Khaleej Times, confirmed that the airline is working with multiple providers to roll out a new internet solution that will bring “best-in-class” connectivity across its aircraft.
“The connectivity that we're going to offer to our customers in the next two to three years is going to be best in class. With regard to speed, we're talking about getting to over 100 megabits per second, which is amazing,” Neves said. “There is no scenario that any airline in the world in three years will not have 100-plus megabits per second Wi-Fi in the aircraft. We got to give it to our customers because there is this saying that ‘Wi-Fi is life’ and people need it to feel connected and engaged.”
The carrier is not ruling out SpaceX’s Starlink satellite internet services, though Neves said other providers are also under consideration.
Industry analysis by Ookla shows that Hawaiian Airlines and Qatar Airways are currently the top performers for in-flight connectivity, using Starlink’s low-earth orbit satellite system. Spirit Airlines , Air Canada, Delta Airlines , Breeze Airways , American Airlines, and Aeromexico also rank high for quality connections, offering download speeds above the 10th percentile and better median speeds than rivals.
Alongside the Wi-Fi push, Etihad is preparing to accept cryptocurrency payments. “We are investing a lot in technology to close gaps in payment structures,” Neves said, stressing that the right infrastructure must first be in place in the markets it serves. The move would follow a broader regional trend after Emirates and Dubai Duty Free signed an agreement with Crypto.com in July to enable crypto transactions.
Financial gains and workforce growth
Etihad carried 10.2 million passengers in the first half of 2025, a 17 percent increase year-on-year, with a 14 percent rise in Available Seat Kilometres (ASK) and an improved passenger load factor of 87 percent, up two percentage points. The airline expects to reach 21.5 million passengers this year, and in early July surpassed 20 million passengers carried over the past 12 months, double the 10 million recorded in 2022.
Profitability also surged. Etihad posted AED1.1 billion ($306 million) profit for the first half, a 32 percent rise from the previous year. Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) rose nearly 25 percent to AED2.7 billion ($729 million).
Neves underlined both the financial and strategic progress. “As important as that, we keep growing. We keep bringing more tourists to Abu Dhabi. We’re very proud that Etihad is now bigger than ever before. About two years ago, I told some of you that we would get to that point in 2025, and we made it. We are growing at about 15–16 per cent year on year.”
The airline also crossed the milestone of more than 100 operating aircraft, boosted by new deliveries. In April, Etihad received its sixth Airbus A350, followed by the reintroduction of a seventh A380 in May. That same month, it confirmed an order for 28 wide-body aircraft with Boeing . In July, the airline achieved its highest-ever monthly intake with five new aircraft, including its first A321LR.
Workforce expansion has kept pace. In the first half of 2025, Etihad added over 1,700 new hires, including more than 100 pilots and 1,000 cabin crew, while promoting more than 1,100 staff internally.
“In all aspects, we are very happy. But in the end, the most important thing is our people,” Neves said. “We have hired more than 1,500 people, and we have promoted more than 1,000 people over the past half. And that’s really what an airline is, right? It’s a group of people that is working hard to deliver great customer service and grow in a financially viable way.”
Expansion and fleet strategy
Etihad’s network stood at 88 destinations as of June 2025, with 27 new routes launched or announced in the past year, including both year-round and seasonal services.
The introduction of the A321LR in April was a key milestone, bringing wide-body luxury to narrow-body operations for the first time in the region. The aircraft, which entered service in August with a debut flight to Phuket, features First Class suites and lie-flat Business seats on medium-haul routes.
Chairman His Excellency Mohamed Ali Al Shorafa said: “With 27 new destinations launched or announced this year alone, Etihad is proud to help position Abu Dhabi as one of the most accessible and connected cities in the world. This growth not only strengthens point-to-point and stopover opportunities but also enhances Abu Dhabi’s role as a gateway for millions of global travellers.”
Looking ahead, Etihad plans further fleet adjustments. Neves confirmed that Boeing’s 777X order will only arrive after 2030, intended to replace the airline’s Airbus A380s. He also indicated that Etihad is exploring deals in the secondary market, including leasing opportunities, to expand its fleet.
Market outlook and IPO readiness
Despite global economic uncertainties and geopolitical tensions, Etihad remains committed to its expansion strategy. Passenger traffic grew 17 percent year-on-year, with load factors improving to 88 percent from 86 percent a year earlier.
Bookings briefly slowed during the Israel-Iran conflict earlier this summer but had fully recovered by the end of July. Neves said the second half of 2025 “is going to be even stronger in terms of growth,” pointing to more aircraft deliveries and sustained demand.
On the prospect of going public, Neves said Etihad is fully prepared for an IPO but emphasized the decision rests with shareholders. “Etihad is ready to IPO at any time,” he said. “This is a shareholder decision.”
Rumors of a listing have circulated for years, but the latest statement marks the clearest sign that the airline is financially and operationally positioned for a public offering, should its owners move forward.
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